An update of recent legislative activity by
Pennsylvania House Democrats

March 30, 2007

 

Tourism committee approves Tangretti
historic preservation grants

 

The House Tourism and Recreational Development Committee has given unanimous approval to legislation (H.B. 221) introduced by state Rep. Tom Tangretti, D-Westmoreland, that would provide state grants to owners of historically significant residential and commercial properties for the restoration and residential or commercial use of those properties.

 

Owners restoring commercial properties would be eligible for grants up to $500,000; owners restoring residential properties would be eligible for grants up to $15,000. To be eligible, properties would have to be listed in the National Register of Historic Places, be located in a National Register historic district, or be located in a designated local government historic district. Restoration would have to be followed by use as an income-producing business in the case of commercial properties or the primary residence of the owner in the case of residential properties.

 

"A preservation grant program makes sense from a number of perspectives," Tangretti said. "It would lure businesses and residents back to many of our state's older downtowns that have been hollowing out for years as people fled to the suburbs and rural areas, it would create more affordable housing stock, it would boost tourism and tourism-related economic activity in many downtowns, and it would help preserve farmland and open space from development."

 

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Proposed legislation would allow
temporary moratoriums on development

 

Rep. Bob Freeman, D-Northampton, is introducing legislation (H.B. 904) that would allow municipalities to impose a temporary moratorium on development when they are in the process of rewriting their land-use ordinances.

 

A 2001 state Supreme Court ruling struck down the use of these temporary moratoriums by municipalities because there was no statutory basis for them. The Freeman bill would give municipalities the statutory authority they need under the Municipalities Planning Code to be able to use this effective growth-management tool.

 

"Many municipalities discover that their current land-use ordinances are terribly outdated or woefully inadequate to deal with the consequences of overwhelming rapid development," Freeman said. "These communities are in need of a temporary 'time out' from development to enact appropriate land-use ordinances to better manage and guide growth and development. The purpose of our legislation is to ensure that municipalities in the path of rapid development get the 'breathing space' they need to put in place more effective land-use ordinances to deal with development."

 

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Cohen introduces legislation to oversee DNA labs

 

Rep. Mark Cohen, D-Phila., has introduced legislation (H.B. 912) that would establish a certification process for laboratories that analyze DNA from genetic material. Currently, there is no state certification process in place in Pennsylvania. The improper analysis of DNA can significantly impact court cases where DNA as used as evidence.

 

"Many court cases are boiling down to DNA evidence as the deciding factor," Cohen said. "It would be good to know that the labs that provide the DNA analysis are certified and reliable sources of evidence. People's freedom - and in some cases, their lives - depend on it."

 

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Solobay: Lighten up that evening jog

 

Pedestrians who walk, jog or run along state highways between sunset and sunrise would be required to wear reflective clothing or carry a lighted flashlight under a bill introduced this week by Rep. Tim Solobay, D-Washington.

 

The legislation (H.B. 968) also would require pedestrians to have reflective clothing or a flashlight whenever there is insufficient light to render a person clearly visible to motorists.

 

 "Pedestrians should always use extreme caution when they're walking or jogging along any road or highway," Solobay said. "But dusk till dawn can be especially dangerous because visibility is limited and it's difficult for motorists to see people who may be alongside the highway. Reflective clothing and flashlights increase visibility to drivers and result in keeping pedestrians safe."

 

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Pallone bill would protect distributors
in expanded beer sales

 

Rep. John Pallone, D-Westmoreland/Armstrong, is proposing legislation that would require grocery stores and other retail outlets, if they are eventually permitted to sell beer, to purchase that beer from licensed distributors in the state.

 

Under the legislation, supermarkets, convenience stores and other retail establishments where more than 75 percent of beer sales are for off-premises consumption would have to purchase their supplies from a distributor and use an I.D. check system to prevent minors from making alcohol purchases

 

"As discussions continue as to whether supermarkets, convenience stores or other retail establishments should be allowed to sell beer, I think it is important to ensure safeguards are in place to provide for the proper distribution of malt beverages by the local distributors licensed by the state," Pallone said.

 

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Honoring Pennsylvania's emergency responders

 

Rep. Frank Andrews Shimkus, D-Lackawanna, will introduce legislation that would designate Sept. 11 each year as "Pennsylvania Emergency Responders' Day."

 

The legislation would honor firefighters, police, public safety personnel, emergency dispatchers, ambulance personnel, first-response teams and all those who protect the Commonwealth through service and dedication.

 

"The attack on America reminded us of the importance of our emergency responders," Shimkus said. "When other people run from tragedy, emergency personnel run toward it to save lives and property."

 

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Shapiro's bipartisan legislation would
assist Pennsylvania's physicians

 

Rep. Josh Shapiro, D-Montgomery, will introduce legislation later this month that would require insurance companies to provide more notification when they intend to increase rates or cancel physicians' liability coverage.

 

Under the bill, insurance companies would be required to give doctors at least 60 days notice before increasing liability insurance rates and at least 90 days notice before cancelling a doctor's liability policy.

 

"We must require ample notice of rate increases and policy cancellations. An extra month will give our health-care providers the time necessary to find alternative coverage," Shapiro said. "Without sufficient coverage, doctors and hospitals won't be able to provide care for the people who need it, and the patients will be the ones to suffer."

 

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White bill would make sure law-abiding citizens
can purchase guns

 

Rep. Jesse White, D-Washington/Allegheny/Beaver, is introducing legislation that would require courts to prove that people flagged during instant background checks are ineligible to purchase a firearm.

 

Currently, people who are denied the purchase of a firearm at the point of sale have to prove they are eligible by appearing before a judge and requesting up-to-date records, and are responsible for any costs incurred in the process. The bill would shift the burden of proof, and costs, from the applicant to the courts.

 

"Right now, when people get red-flagged during the instant-records check, they end up having to petition county court for proof that they haven't been convicted of a crime that prohibits them from owning a gun," White said. "It's a costly and outdated process that we need to change to ensure that law-abiding citizens don't have to pay to protect their constitutional rights."

 

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